Wines with dinner

[Florida Jim]

With smoked salmon spread and crackers:

2002 Dom. de Chantemerle (Boudin), Chablis Fourchaume:

As it warmed, the rather feminine nose became expansive with floral, lime zest, flint and peach scents and hints of mineral/

Medium body, very fresh on the palate with flavors that repeat the nose and add lemon juice and pear notes, medium concentration, bright acidity, nice integration (actually better than expected for a wine so young) and excellent balance/

Medium length, very clean finish.

Although this needs a couple years in the cellar, it is also delicious and even has some complexity now. About $26, delivered, and very good with the spread it also was excellent with the following course.

With baked wild salmon and a barley, kale and gruyere gratin:

2000 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley:

Very complex nose of fresh oregano, red fruits, earth, truffle, mineral and smoke; both Diane and I thought it arresting and really enjoyed smelling this as much as drinking it/

Medium body, very complex on the palate that echoed the nose and emphasized the fruit tones (where the nose had emphasized the non-fruit elements), delineated yet round and mouth-filling, texturally silky, has an appealing brightness, intense, perfect balance/

Medium length finish.

Lacking only grand cru concentration, this wine could easily convince me it was twenty year old Amoureuses. All this finesse and perfume in an elegantly styled, genuinely great wine showing at peak; wow!

About $20, delivered.

Best, Jim